RHEA - Respect, Empathy, Appreciation, Harmony

Introduction

As Boğaziçi University School of Foreign Languages (SFL), we follow strict guidelines to create a safe space for all the stakeholders in the campus and prevent and deal with any form of bullying. Sections below provides a guide for the actions you may take in the case that you witness or experience bullying.

This guide provides clear guidance on different types of bullying at school and workplace and how to respond to it. It aims to raise awareness of students and instructors at SFL so they know what is expected of them.

SFL places high importance to wellbeing and good relationships at SFL at every level and encourages any member of SFL to speak up if they see someone breaking the rules.

The objectives of this guide are to:

• Explain what kind of behavior is okay and what isn't,
• Maintain a positive environment at SFL at all times,
• Help all members of SFL feel safer both mentally and physically,
• Lower the chances of problems by reducing negative behavior,
• Guide the members of SFL on how they can respond to bullying and the steps they can take.

What is bullying, harassment, and discrimination?

Bullying

Bullying, including workplace bullying (or mobbing) encompasses any form of physical, verbal, or non-verbal behavior that is intended to harm. Bullying can result in feelings of vulnerability, exclusion, humiliation, or fear. Examples may include:

• Physical threats
• Psychological intimidation
• Excessive supervision
• Shouting at peers publicly or privately
• Spreading hurtful rumours

Harassment

According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act, harassment is described as engaging in a series of bothersome comments or actions, which is either known or should reasonably be known to be unwelcome. It refers to behavior that infringes upon a person's dignity or creates an environment that feels intimidating, hostile, demeaning, uncomfortable, or toxic. Examples include:

• Making threatening remarks
• Committing sexual assault
• Uttering gender-based insults or jokes resulting in embarrassment
• Repeated unwanted social or sexual invitations
• Inappropriate comments on a person’s physical attributes

Discrimination

Discrimination involves treating individuals unfavourably or differently due to various aspects of their identity (race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, etc.). Instances include:

• Making insensitive jokes
• Considering an individual's identity when making hiring decisions
• Intentionally excluding a colleague based on their gender
• Using derogatory racial and ethnical language

Micro-aggressions

Micro-aggressions encompass both overt and subtle behaviors targeting an individual's personal identity. Examples include:

• Referring to a woman as "bossy"
• Making comments about a person's physical appearance based on racial or ethnic characteristics

NOTE: In the rest of the document, “bullying” will be used to refer to any one kind of action described above.

Recognizing bullying behaviour

Examples of bullying at the workplace:

• Disregarding or dismissing individuals' viewpoints and opinions
• Withholding pertinent information that could impact a worker's performance
• Imposing impractical or unrealistic deadlines
• Assigning excessive or unmanageable workloads
• Subjecting staff to humiliation in front of their peers
• Intentionally obstructing opportunities for promotion or training
• Ridiculing or belittling individuals
• Exercising oppressive supervision or misusing power
• Systematically eroding confidence through continual criticism

Examples of bullying towards students:

• Verbal harassment or name-calling in person or online
• Spreading rumours or gossip about a student
• Excluding a student from social groups or activities
• Intimidating or threatening behavior, including physical intimidation
• Cyberbullying through social media platforms
• Undermining a student's academic achievements
• Deliberately sabotaging a student's work
• Making derogatory comments about personal characteristics
• Publicly humiliating a student in class
• Coercing a student into engaging in harmful behavior

Aftermath of bullying

The cost of bullying is high. It can cause frustration, anger, stress, loss of self-confidence, and affect physical/mental health. Symptoms may include:

• Headaches
• Nausea and ulcers
• Contemplating suicide
• Sleeplessness
• Skin rashes
• High blood pressure
• Tearfulness
• Loss of self-confidence

Dealing with bullying

You may choose to follow one or more of the following pieces of advice listed below:

Guidelines for students:

• Inform your instructor and/or a trusted peer.
• Contact Assistant Director of Student Affairs and/or fill in “Student Complaint Form” on SFL website.
• Consult BÜREM (Guidance and Psychological Counseling Center).
• Contact CİTÖK (Committee to Prevent Sexual Harassment) in case of sexual harassment.
• Help create a safe space in the campus and in the classroom.

Guidelines for instructors:

• Inform a trusted colleague.
• Inform English Preparatory Program Coordinator, and/or Assistant Director of Academic Affairs and/or fill in “Staff Grievance Complaint Form” on Instructor’s Hub.
• Consult BÜREM.
• Contact CİTÖK.
• Help create a safe space in the campus, classroom, and workplace.
• Take legal action if necessary.
• Refer to the “Policies and Procedures” folder for more info.

Further Information & Useful Links

• Workplace Psychological Harassment (Mobbing) Information Guide (in Turkish)
• SFL Policies and Procedures
• Tackling Bullying at Work
• Guide For Preventing and Responding to Workplace Bullying